2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Ascent Gilbert AZ


3 Row SUV Comparison

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Ascent

When shopping among 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Ascent trim levels, families want a three-row SUV that delivers the perfect blend of space, efficiency, and value. While both vehicles offer family-friendly features, this Santa Fe vs Ascent comparison reveals clear differences that make one choice significantly smarter than the other.

The Santa Fe stands out with superior fuel economy, class-leading cargo space, and exceptional value, while the Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive and solid towing capacity. For families prioritizing efficiency and practicality, the Santa Fe vs Ascent decision becomes much clearer when you examine what matters most in daily driving.  

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Bold Style vs Ascent's Conservative Look

The design battle in this is Santa Fe better than Ascent comparison showcases two very different philosophies. The Santa Fe embraces a bold, modern aesthetic with its distinctive boxy silhouette and commanding road presence. The rugged, geometric styling makes a confident statement that stands out in parking lots and school pickup lines.

 

The Santa Fe's design isn't just about looks – its boxy proportions maximize interior space and cargo capacity while creating a more imposing, SUV-like appearance. The LED lighting signatures and modern grille design give it a contemporary feel that appeals to families wanting something distinctive.  

 

The 2025 Subaru Ascent in Gilbert takes a more conservative approach with smoother lines and traditional SUV styling. While this gives it good visibility and a pleasant appearance, it lacks the Santa Fe's bold personality and modern edge.  

 

For families asking Santa Fe vs Ascent which should I buy, the Santa Fe's design philosophy clearly wins this matchup. Visit this 2025 Santa Fe Review to get more details about the Hyundai’s curb appeal and features.  

Santa Fe Calligraphy

    Santa Fe vs Ascent Cargo Space: No Contest

    When it comes to Santa Fe vs Ascent cargo space, the Hyundai’s class-leading 79.6 cubic feet beats the Ascent's approximately 75 cubic feet, giving families more room for luggage, sports equipment, and everything else that comes with busy family life.

    A Santa Fe vs Ascent interior space comparison shows the Santa Fe's practical, boxy design maximizes every inch. With 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 14.6 cubic feet with all seats up, the Santa Fe offers more versatile cargo arrangements than its Subaru rival.  

    While the Ascent does offer competitive passenger volume, families doing a family SUV comparison will appreciate the Santa Fe's superior storage capacity. The Hyundai's smart interior design also features easier-to-fold seats and a more user-friendly cargo area layout, making it simpler to configure for different hauling needs.  

    Better Fuel Economy -- Santa Fe or Ascent

    In this three row SUV comparison, the Santa Fe pulls ahead by achieving 29 MPG highway compared to the Ascent's 26 MPG rating. Even more impressive is the hybrid SUV Santa Fe vs Ascent advantage – the Santa Fe Hybrid represents an option that the Ascent simply cannot match. Either way, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe can promise better ownership costs to budget-conscious families.

    In direct contrast, the Ascent has been noted by automotive experts as having some of the worst observed fuel economy in the three-row SUV class, with real-world testing showing disappointing results. This makes the Santa Fe's efficiency advantage even more pronounced for families concerned about gas station visits.  

    For families prioritizing lower fuel costs, the Santa Fe's powertrain options clearly make it the smarter choice in this most reliable three row SUV comparison.  

    Best Value Three Row SUV Under $40K

    The best value three row SUV under $40k crown rewards the Korean brand when looking at Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Ascent price and features. Starting at around $36,000, the Santa Fe undercuts the Ascent's $38,795 starting price while offering more generous standard equipment.

    This Santa Fe vs Ascent standard features comparison shows the Hyundai's advantage:  

    Santa Fe Standard Features:

    • Generous list of convenience and safety features across all trims

    • User-friendly infotainment with smartphone integration

    • Comprehensive warranty coverage

    • More standard tech features at each trim level

    Ascent Standard Features:

    • EyeSight driver assistance suite

    • Standard all-wheel drive 

    • Good build quality and safety ratings

    The why choose Santa Fe over Ascent argument becomes compelling when you consider Hyundai's industry-leading warranty coverage. The Santa Fe comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that far exceeds Subaru's coverage, providing families with greater peace of mind and potential long-term savings.

    While the Ascent's standard all-wheel drive adds value, most families won't need AWD for daily driving, making the Santa Fe's front-wheel drive efficiency and lower price point more practical choices.  

2025 Santa Fe

Test Drive the Best 3-Row SUV in Gilbert AZ

Now that you know more, check out the Santa Fe at Earnhardt Hyundai San Tan. Our Gilbert AZ store keeps a big inventory of favorite trim levels. Bring your family to see how the Santa Fe will fit your lifestyle. Get answers about loans and leases from our financing staff.


Schedule a test drive.




Most new vehicles include a “Protection Package” (sometimes referred to as the “No Bull Protection Package”) inclusive of highly-demanded, popular items designed to protect your investment such as lifetime window tint, door-edge guards & handle-cup guards. Price of the “Protection Package” is $618 at this dealership for Cars, Vans, CUVs and SUVs. Actual vehicle sale price and payments may vary for various reasons - including but not limited to - applicable manufacturer rebates, special limited time offers, dealer incentives, taxes, fees, and buyer's credit qualifications, dealer installed accessories, market product (or vehicle) scarcity and $599.00 dealer doc fee.

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